JediAmoeba

I think it's a bit weird - I think you were lacking the proper balance. I always recommend trying out specific reels with the rod you want to pair it with. I only use 2 setups shorter than 7' and they are both casting setups for jerkbaits/small topwater. I really don't like spinning reels though and unless all hell breaks loose, I don't take them with me.

I have boxes of stuff I never use...for instance I can't tell you the last time I pulled out any of my topwaters besides a yellow magic popper and my swimbaits. Buzzbaits - I have at least 100 but haven't thrown one in 3 years. So much situational stuff I just haven't used because the majority of my fishing is done in tournaments. Yet, I can't shed any of it. This was amazing. I love seeing all this old tackle. And he is correct, what's old becomes new again.

Seriously. Mine barely fits in a big shed

I have a lot of tackle and I realize I have a problem - I can never get rid of it. I just keep feeding the monkey(s). So when I think I have too much tackle I watch this video: Does anyone know of anyone else that has more tackle than Epic Eric?

I have the new zillion and the old zillion. I have the SV 103 and 6 of the 2017 SV models. I prefer both the older models because the frame is bigger. The new reels are too small IMO. I am someone that loves throwing 300 size reels all day though so... The previous Zillion and the 2017 SV use the same size frame. I was able to upgrade 2.of my old Tatulas with SV spools and bearings and they are the same as the SV - there are only minor cosmetic differences really. If you prefer the brass gears you can order them from Daiwa - they don't cost too much tbh. I put the Tatula SV 103 on a rod for my son because I prefer the 2017 models...

That's a Lexa HD 400 I use for musky fishing.

Youtuber reviews are quite possibly the worst - hear some guy rave about a product after you watched an advertisement for said product at the start of their bit...and then they never use said product ever again. For the most part they are all paid and thats where separating the facts from the exaggerated truth is difficult.

Size. The regular sv is about a 150 size frame - the same size frame as the previous gen Tatula. Over the last 6 or 7 years Daiwa has really convoluted the size if their low profile baitcasters...

Was it that good or is the fact it was the best thing we had ever used at the time? I was just thinking the other day how I wish I had that spiderwire from the 90s because it was so great... was it?

I like Daiwa reels.

The coastal has 2 more crbb. Corrosion resistant ball bearings for salt use. They also replaced a bearing with a bushing in the Coastal version - probably the one under the main drive gear which is notorious for corrosion.

For flipping and pitching I turn my brakes to 0 and use only my thumb. All you are using is the pendulum of the lure to pitch it so the rod isn't really loading up. It takes a bit of practice but once you master it, it's the best way imo.

Suffix Advance is one of the thickest and stiffest line I have ever used. A buddy I fish with loves it - I can't stand it.

The spring is when you catch the big girls. No sense catching 2 pounders.

I tie fg knots at home - on the water I tie a blood knot. If you tighten the knot under water it doesn't fail.

Same for me - especially the bearings next to the roller bearing and the one under the drive shaft. These are pressed into the frame and if they have any imperfections their sounds are amplified by the housing. I take the retainers off mine and pack them with a bit of grease(not on the spool bearings). Really quiets the reel down and keeps it smooth for ages but you have to be careful that no debris gets in them otherwise they wear out quickly.

I don't know - I use 50# silent flip braid to a Gamma polyflex 17# copoly leader or a Gamma 16# Edge fluorocarbon leader for everything up to a Deps 250. If I am throwing around a 2 oz glide I put on a 15# Tatsu leader or a 14# Gamma copoly Leader. If I am running top water/ subsurface cranks I started using PLine topwater copoly in 15# for smaller wakes and 17# for anything up to 6ish ounces. I have used big game, Suffix advance, Izorline xxx, Maxima and they are all...OK, at best imo. I have never lost a bait to a cast-off or a fish because I retie often and check my leaders often - I don't need to lose 300+ dollar baits to the abyss.

They get like that - especially the 8.1:1 gear ratio ones. You can tighten them up a bit with spacers and lube but it really doesn't hurt the performance. If it hasn't been serviced in a while I would recommend servicing it or sending it to an expert.

I hear these comments all the time and I guess maybe if you are fishing some areas but I throw 6 oz glides on 16 or 17# copoly or fluoro depending on the water temps. I think more people than not overpower their glides with line that is too heavy. Sure it works for those dumb, young florida strain bass but northern strain bass that are 5 lbs are probably 7+ years old. If I am not throwing into any cover I will often throw my 3-4oz glides on 15# fluoro leaders... I have never lost one either

1 XXH 8' swimbait rod for glides up to 8 oz 1 XH 7'9" swimbait rod for glides 1-4 oz 1 ML 6'9" jerkbait rod for jerkbaits 1 7'6" H rod for 1/2 oz - 1oz jigs

Braid - 0 stretch, no coils of line laying on the surface. This allows me to impart action to the glide without any delay. It also allows me more accurate casts - I rarely bomb my baits as I cast to pinpoint locations and just let the bait slide into the water without much of a splash. I fish a lot of glides and to me they are all big baits but fished in a "finesse" manner. I am also a northern guy.

I run 50# braid to leader on almost all of my swimbait setups up to 6oz. On a pistol pete or a megabass islide 135 I throw on a mh rod with 30# braid to an 8 or 10 leader - those are basically finesse glides

Ok...a few things. Are there any guides on the Lakes you have fished? Go on a trip- you will learn some things. Ever back seat with some of the people that consistently catch? You should - you will learn some things. Do you pay attention to the small details? In today's heavy pressure environments the small details make all the difference. Take time to learn 1 lake very well. It will take time but that information will translate to other places down the road. You should ask some guys that consistently catch to go fishing with you - pick their brains. They won't give you all their secrets but you can learn some things that will help you connect the dots. Take time to mark areas that hold fish - a line in the water in the wrong place isn't the key to success.

Best Wacky rig hook is hands down the Berkley Fusion with the fluoro guard. VMC is possibly the worst.

Crank down while swinging like a wild man...that's what I do. With an 8 foot rod from tip down while reeling you easily bring in more line than you need.